02 2017 BfR ConsumerMONITOR

ImprintBfR Consumer Monitor 02 | 2017

Publisher: German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max-Dohrn-Straße 8–10 10589 Berlin bfr@bfr.bund.de www.bfr.bund.de/enPhoto: Choreograph/FotoliaLayout/Realisation: tangram documents GmbH, RostockPrint: Druck- und Verlagshaus Zarbock GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am MainTranslation: ABC Sprachschule und Übersetzungsbüro, Niederkassel-Mondorf

Use of the results published here is possible with mention of the source “BfR Consumer Monitor 02 | 2017”.This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.

ISBN 978-3-943963-53-3

3BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Introduction

The BfR Consumer Monitor is a major instrument of consumer health protection, providing answers every six months to the question of how the general public perceives topics from the field of consumer health protection on the basis of a representative population survey. Which topics are important in the view of the consumer? Which topics are they familiar with and what don’t they know so much about? And above all – to what extent do differenc-es exist between the public perception and scientific estimation of health risks?

In this first survey of 2017, it can be seen that – as in previous years – consumers regard smoking, climate and environmental contamination, unhealthy or wrong eating habits and alcohol as the biggest health risks. Huge differences can again be seen where the level of awareness of health and consumer topics is concerned. The vast majority of the population is aware of ge-

netically modified foods, antibiotic resistance, food fraud and res-idues of plant protection products in food. There has also been a sharp increase with regard to glyphosate in food compared to last year’s survey, with a slim majority of respondents now being aware of the topic. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas and teas are still relatively unknown, as is genome editing, which ranks last in the awareness scale surveyed here.

If you want to find out more about any of these topics, you will find links to more detailed information on the BfR website on the last page of this booklet.

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 20174

>>Which topics do you personally regard as the biggest health risks for consumers?

You can state a maximum of three topics.

5BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Health Risks for Consumers

Spontaneous mentionsShown: Mentions ≥ 5 % (multiple mentions possible)

(+1)

(–2)

(–3)

(+2)

(–2)

(+5)

(+1)

(+3)

(+2)

(+1)

(+4)

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016: percentage points)

0 64

Don't know, no answer

Drug consumption

Lack of exercise

Problems caused by agriculture

Unhealthy/contaminated foods

Alcohol

Unhealthy/wrong diet

Climate/environmental pollution

Smoking

Political/economic interest

Genetic engineering/modification

1917

1414

99

77

66

28

Comparedto 2016

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 20176

>>Have you already heard about the following health and consumer topics or have you never heard of them?

7BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Awareness of Health and Consumer Topics

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016 refers to „already heard about“: percentage points); * not asked in 2016;1 Wording in 2016: Plant protection product residues in fruit and vegetables; 2 Wording in 2016: Glyphosate

1

1

Yes, I've already heard about them Don't know, no answerNo, I've never heard of them

(*)(+1)(*)

(–6)1

(*)(+7)(*)

(+32)2

(*) (+6)(*)

Genetically modified foods

Genome editingPyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas and teas

Acrylamide in foodGlyphosate in food2

Mineral oils in food

Microplastics in foodPathogens/bacteria in raw sausage products

Residues of plant protection products in food1

Food adulteration, food fraud

0 64

Antimicrobial resistance93

888382

7470

6854

4934

14

61117172630

3144506684

Comparedto 2016

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 20178

>>To what extent are you personally concerned or unconcerned about the following food safety topics?

Please use a scale of 1 to 5 for your answer, with 1 representing “not concerned” and 5 representing “concerned”. You can graduate your opinion with the values in between.

9BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Concern About Food Safety Topics

Shown: Percentage “concerned” (4 + 5 on the scale) Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016: percentage points); * not asked in 2016

0 64

Antimicrobial resistanceGenetically modified foods

Residues of plant protection products in foodFood adulteration, food fraud

Microplastics in foodFood additives

Mineral oils in foodPathogens/bacteria in raw sausage products

Health risks of dietary supplementsFood hygiene in gastronomy

Glyphosate in foodAcrylamide in food

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas and teasFood hygiene at home

Genome editing

5956

52

4944

4239

363434

3220

1613

7

(–7)(–7)(–8)(*)

(–8)(*)(*)(*)(*)

(–5)(+4)(*)

(–12)(+3)(*)

Comparedto 2016

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 201710

>>Which of the following three statements on consumer health protection would you tend to agree with most?

11BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Consumer health protection

55

121

33

(±0)

(+1)

(±0)

(±0)

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016: percentage points)

I assume that I can assess health risks by myself and do not need any state institutions for this.

The state should provide scientifically validated information on the basis of which I can protect myself against health risks.

The state should take more concrete measures such as bans and restrictions to protect me as a consumer from health risks.

Don't know, no answer

Comparedto 2016

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 201712

>>Are the quality and safety of our foods increasing, decreasing or staying the same?

13BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Changes in the Quality and Safety of Foods

2

34

18

46

Slight increase

Remain the same

Slight decrease

Don't know, no answer

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 201714

>>And how do you estimate in general the safety of the following products which you can buy in Germany?

15BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Safety of products offered for sale in Germany

Cosmetics

Toys

Textiles

0 64

Percentages “Unsafe” + “More unsafe than safe”

3

(+1)

(+4)

(–5)

9 39 26 22

48

13 34 24 22 7

12

47

9 29 28 22

38

Compared to 2016

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016: percentage points)

Unsafe More unsafe than safe Don't know, no answerMore safe than unsafe Safe

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 201716

>>To what extent do you trust that state authorities in Germany protect the health of consumers?

17BfR Consumer Monitor | February 2017

Trust in state authorities to protect health

10

34

17

39

I trust them

I tend to trust them

I tend to distrust them

I don't trust them

Don't know, no answer

Percentages “I trust them” + “I tend to trust them”

51

Compared to 2016

(+2)

(–5)

(+1)

(+3)

(±0)

(–3)

Basis: 1,023; figures given as percentages (compared to 2016: percentage points)

1

BfR Consumer Monitor | February 201718

How were the data collected?

Date of the survey: 31 January to 2 February 2017Random sample: 1,023Presentation of results: All figures in percent, rounding differences possiblePopulation: German-speaking population aged 14 years and over in private households in the

Federal Republic of Germany Sampling: Samples drawn at random from land line and mobile telephone numbers which can

also include telephone numbers not listed in directories (in line with standards set by the Association of German Market Research Institutes – ADM)

Methode: Telephone interview (CATI omnibus survey, Dual Frame)Conducted by: KANTAR EMNIDPrevious study: BfR Consumer Monitor 02 | 2016

About the BfR

Do nanoparticles promote the occurrence of allergies? Does ap-ple juice contain too much aluminium? The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, or BfR for short, is responsible for answering questions on all aspects of the health assessment of foods and feeds, consumer products and chemicals. For 15 years now, its work has made a decisive contribution towards ensuring that food, products and the use of chemicals have become safer in Germa-ny. The Institute’s main tasks comprise the assessment of existing health risks and identification of new ones, the development of recommendations to limit risks and the transparent communication of this process. This work results in the scientific advice given to political decision-makers. To help with the strategic alignment of its risk communication, the BfR conducts its own research in the field of risk perception. The Institute is independent in its scientific as-sessments, research and communication. The BfR belongs to the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

i More information at: www.bfr.bund.de/en

Residues of plant protection products in fruit and vegetables: > FAQ > Residues of plant protection products in food

Antibiotic resistance: > A-Z Index > Antibiotic resistance

Mineral oils in food: > A-Z Index > Mineral oil

Genetically modified food > FAQ > Food and feed derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Microplastics in food: > A-Z Index > Microplastic particles in food

Genome editing: > FAQ > Genome Editing und CRISPR/Cas9

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas and teas: > A-Z Index > Pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Glyphosate in food: > FAQ > Glyphosate – Assessment of the health risk

German Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentMax-Dohrn-Straße 8–1010589 BerlinGERMANY

Phone +49 30 18412-0Fax +49 30 18412-4741bfr@bfr.bund.dewww.bfr.bund.de/en